Two of the most commonly found chemicals in every household – ammonia and bleach – are not well understood in terms of how dangerous they are to mix.

A quick glance at a container of bleach will indicate a clear warning about the risk of creating chlorine gas – a substance that was used as a chemical weapon in World Wars I and II.

Depending on the relative amounts of bleach and ammonia involved, should they be mixed together, the results can be disastrous. Potential problems include: toxic gas that can inflict serious and painful skin and lung damage, intense heat, and possibly explosion.